tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-223053182015-03-24T08:05:36.137-04:00In Vino VeritasGreat wine on a budget (with an occasional splurge)Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-75871508994705894172009-12-05T19:49:00.003-05:002009-12-05T20:04:17.575-05:00Jade Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SxsC7Rfcy8I/AAAAAAAAApk/ijRug04PHlQ/s1600-h/jademtn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 196px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SxsC7Rfcy8I/AAAAAAAAApk/ijRug04PHlQ/s320/jademtn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411922594546633666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $9.99 at Macy's Liquors</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Recommended by:</span> Wine tasting at store</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> This is an exceptional wine for the price. It is a big, bold cabernet with delicious, round flavors of blueberry, cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate. The nose is equally bold. In fact, nothing is subtle about this one. Plus, the flavors last in a long finish that suggests you are drinking a $25 bottle of wine. We will be getting a few more bottles of this one soon!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rating:</span> 8/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-36482468131986837432009-08-24T19:44:00.004-04:002009-08-24T19:57:01.409-04:00Michel Leon Gewurztraminer 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SpMoBB4HKII/AAAAAAAAAnc/XbHDPhYVxgg/s1600-h/leon-gewurz.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SpMoBB4HKII/AAAAAAAAAnc/XbHDPhYVxgg/s200/leon-gewurz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373682778531899522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $11.99 at Trader Joe's<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span> We're fans of Gewurztraminers<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> We've been drinking more Chardonnay lately. Why, since other white varietals are so good? Particularly Gewurztraminer, and this one reminded us why we're such big fans. Michel Leon is fairly dry, but with some really nice fruit. It has some floral notes and a bit of spice. It was a perfect complement to the Indian food we had for dinner, and we look forward to having this wine again. Chardonnay, as we noted some years ago, kinda sucks (OK, OK ... with the exception of a few).<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 7.5/10</span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-17657703836436717142009-06-05T19:45:00.005-04:002009-06-05T20:07:59.881-04:00J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2006<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/Simx46zvM5I/AAAAAAAAAmk/AZ6kqzPq7YA/s1600-h/JLohrChardonnay.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 91px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343998024268854162" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/Simx46zvM5I/AAAAAAAAAmk/AZ6kqzPq7YA/s320/JLohrChardonnay.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Price:</strong> $15.95 @ Macy's (W. Roxbury, MA)</span><br /><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Recommended by:</strong> Curiosity </span></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Comments:</strong> We don't drink a lot of Chardonnay, and when we do, we typically talk about how much we don't like it. But lately, we've been trying more and enjoying it (at least the oaky ones). This wine exhibited some of the traits we've been looking for lately. It is rich, smooth, and oaked. The nose is apple, lime, and pineapple. The flavor is dominated by apple and caramel with a little spice and a long smooth finish. If we're in the mood for an oaky chardonnay in the future, this is one we'll seriously consider (along with the <a href="http://www.matua.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/tastingnotes/pi_wineid/334626">Matua Judd Estate</a>).</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Rating:</strong> 7/10</span></div></div>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-48033055052523279392009-04-26T10:55:00.004-04:002009-04-26T11:48:24.777-04:00Pairing Wine with Brodetto<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SfSB2tSB0bI/AAAAAAAAAl0/ednqq44UcSQ/s1600-h/DSC_0012-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 187px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SfSB2tSB0bI/AAAAAAAAAl0/ednqq44UcSQ/s320/DSC_0012-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329027035954270642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">One dish we've been really enjoying lately is brodetto, a seafood stew native of Italy. The Italian version is called Brodetto di Pesce, but since we cannot use ingredients from the Adriatic Sea, we've enjoyed our own New England version. The broth is a delicious blend of tomatoes, onions, seafood broth, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, wine, garlic, saffron, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Throw in some little neck clams, fresh mussels, and a white fish (halibut is great), and serve with fresh bread, and you have an amazing dinner.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SfSCBPxHnxI/AAAAAAAAAl8/wstwzu46MmI/s1600-h/DSC_0004-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SfSCBPxHnxI/AAAAAAAAAl8/wstwzu46MmI/s320/DSC_0004-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329027217010171666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">So, what wine do enjoy with this delicious dish? The authentic Italian version screams for a dry <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdicchio">Verdicchio</a>, which is produced in the <a href="http://www.artisanvineyards.com/About/Regions.aspx?id=887">Marches</a> region of Italy, where Brodetto di Pesce is one of the most popular dishes. The French <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsanne">Marsanne</a> is also another great pairing with brodetto. Marsanne is often blended with Viognier, which would also be an excellent choice to enjoy with the dish. You can't go wrong with a nice American Chardonnay, and we've even enjoyed a nice, floral Chilean Carmenere Blanc (</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://www.tierrayfuego.cl/">Viña Tierra y Fuego</a>)</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br /><br />The one wine we highly recommend is a Dry Riesling, particularly <a href="http://www.ste-michelle.com/wines/columbiaValley/release/4">Chateau Ste Michelle's</a>. They're a bit citrusy with a nice spice. We think you'll love it with brodetto, particularly if you're looking for something other than a Chardonnay.<br /></span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-59721649723613090662009-04-03T19:24:00.006-04:002009-04-03T19:38:00.127-04:00Rietvallei Estate "John B." Sauvignon Blanc/Colombar 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SdabsIFmW2I/AAAAAAAAAls/FEj39n29T9Y/s1600-h/JB903A_big.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SdabsIFmW2I/AAAAAAAAAls/FEj39n29T9Y/s320/JB903A_big.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320611192172338018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Price:</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >$9.99 @ Wine Gallery, Brookline<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Saleswoman<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> This South African blend (60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Colombar) is a nice, basic wine. Floral aromas meet the nose. The taste is dominated by a strong, crisp lemon flavor. We don't like it as much as we do the New Zealand (Marlborough) Sauvignon Blancs we often drink, but it is enjoyable and went well with </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >the sushi we had for dinner.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 6.25/10</span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-81644842637935121112009-03-27T21:32:00.005-04:002009-03-27T21:58:59.472-04:00Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek Merlot 1999<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/Sc2CbmshA2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/iws8ENZi3Q4/s1600-h/cc_merlot_2005.gif.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/Sc2CbmshA2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/iws8ENZi3Q4/s320/cc_merlot_2005.gif.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318050145749762914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> about $25</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Recommended by: </span>the wonderful folks at <a href="http://www.ste-michelle.com/">Chateau Ste Michelle</a> winery, Woodinville, WA (go visit!)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> What an evening! We polished off a bottle of white Italian Vermentino (Rocca di Montemassi) while making a fabulous batch of mushroom risotto. The wine was exceptional, but we can't blog about it because we finished it so damn quickly! With the actual risotto (did we mention it was amazing?!?) we drank this Merlot, which is quite dear to us. Back in September 2007, we <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karieandrob/1398655190/in/set-72157602060088401/">visited the winery</a> and purchased this bottle for a special occasion. Rob has been hard at work for the past few weeks, finishing up his first book, and while it's not quite done yet we're celebrating the near end of many years of hard work. This wine was an appropriate celebratory libation. <span style="font-style: italic;">Wine Spectator </span>gave it 90 points back in the day, and it's only gotten better with time. Rich, earthy flavors dominated by plum, vanilla, and mocha, with hints of chocolate. YUM! We wish we had another bottle!<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Rating:</span></span> <span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >8/10</span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-10029117281467073272009-01-01T22:54:00.003-05:002009-01-01T23:07:15.116-05:00Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SV2RH5LK2bI/AAAAAAAAAfI/8mD3tY2Vb6o/s1600-h/lodge_hill2004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SV2RH5LK2bI/AAAAAAAAAfI/8mD3tY2Vb6o/s320/lodge_hill2004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286541102395611570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $15.99 @ <a href="http://www.vinninliquors.com/">Vinnin Square Liquors</a> (Swampscott, MA)</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by: </span>Wine Spectator gave this a 91<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments: </span>We do not usually buy a Shiraz that's over, say, $12, but this one was worth the extra couple of dollars. It is very smooth, with flavors of black cherry, plum, vanilla, and chocolate. It is a tad high in alcohol (15%), but you couldn't tell in the flavor. If you want to move past your basic Shiraz, this is a great one to consider. We think it's the best one we've had (perhaps even better than Wolf Blass Gold Label).<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> 8/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-22176352775442769912008-12-18T19:33:00.003-05:002008-12-18T19:46:56.212-05:00Bodegas Tomas Cusine El Vilosell 2005<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SUruUYWoEaI/AAAAAAAAAes/jy4R2Uuzddc/s1600-h/vilosell.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SUruUYWoEaI/AAAAAAAAAes/jy4R2Uuzddc/s320/vilosell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281295546947473826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $15.99 @ </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.vinninliquors.com/">Vinnin Square Liquors</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> (Swampscott, MA)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Recommended by:</span> salesman at store</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> This is a really good Spanish blend. It is 50% Tempranillo, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Garnacha, and 5% Syrah aged for 9 months in new French oak. It has a nice taste of pepper, cherry, and some blueberry. The flavor is long-lasting and the wine is quite smooth. The only drawback is the price. The wine is good, but we've had a lot of good Spanish wines in the $10 range. Spanish wines are a great bargain in general. Perhaps we would get this wine again for a special occasion, but we wouldn't have it again with pizza!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br />Rating:</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> 7/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-6021618363836900292008-10-07T15:37:00.004-04:002008-10-07T15:43:25.947-04:00Longball SauvignYoouuk Blanc 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SOu7Zc6LTMI/AAAAAAAAASk/wOETEMRyr9Y/s1600-h/YOUK_FRONT_small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SOu7Zc6LTMI/AAAAAAAAASk/wOETEMRyr9Y/s320/YOUK_FRONT_small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254499436189142210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $15.99</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span> Red Sox fans everywhere</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> Perhaps Youk should have tried this wine before slapping his name on the label! (At least the $$ goes to charity.)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> N/A</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-17669194818320769572008-09-21T19:14:00.003-04:002008-09-21T19:51:38.432-04:00Mahi Twin Valleys Gewurztraminer 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SNbdSHpaazI/AAAAAAAAASE/ozOPBy-s1u0/s1600-h/mahi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SNbdSHpaazI/AAAAAAAAASE/ozOPBy-s1u0/s200/mahi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248625719107021618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $22.49 @ Blanchards</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />R<span style="font-weight: bold;">ecommended by:</span> </span>Our love of the Gewurztraminer grape</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments: </span>This is the first Gewurztraminer we have tried from New Zealand. We love the Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region and were eager to give this wine a chance. Like the other wines we have tried from this region, Mahi is bold. Not much subtle here. However, it wasn't so much citrusy as it was flowery. It had a really strong rose flavor. I almost didn't believe Rob when he took his first sip and said, "rose petal." I thought he pulled that out his rear end. But it is indeed very rosy. If you're not into flowery wines, we would skip this one. You can taste the spicy side of this wine when pairing it with spicy food (it went well with the ethnic spices we rubbed on the swordfish). Otherwise, it's mainly rosy with a bit of citrus. We probably won't buy this one again, especially given the price. We'll take our Chateau Ste Michelle over this any day.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br />Rating:</span></span> <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" >6.5</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-83249378039107089032008-08-25T22:47:00.003-04:002008-08-25T23:05:36.843-04:00Stephen Vincent Crimson 2005<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SLNy5cfVQAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/iLKOwqHex8Q/s1600-h/Crimson+2005+Label.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SLNy5cfVQAI/AAAAAAAAAOY/iLKOwqHex8Q/s200/Crimson+2005+Label.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238657122787737602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $11.99 @ </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.blanchardsliquor.com/">Blanchard's (J.P.)<br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Recommended by: </span><span style="font-family:arial;">store advertisement</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> We're generally fans of domestic red blends, and this wine's blend of Syrah (75%) and Cabernet (25%) was too enticing to pass up . . . especially after drinking two orders of sake with dinner. :) It was a good call. This wine started out very fruity (mostly cherry and plum) and peppery with a strong alcohol flavor (it IS 14.5% alcohol after all). It closed with a smooth cinnamon and licorice finish. Nice. It's worth noting that this wine got better as we drank it. Next time we might decant it for a bit before partaking. However, having finished the bottle, we have no regrets and feel no pain. Cheers.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br />Rating:</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>7.25/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-64928479752211498222008-08-16T20:08:00.002-04:002008-08-16T20:24:12.209-04:00Dona Paula Shiraz-Malbec 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SKdvd2aGtVI/AAAAAAAAAN4/lH8OoBvBGmU/s1600-h/dona_shz_mal05th.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SKdvd2aGtVI/AAAAAAAAAN4/lH8OoBvBGmU/s320/dona_shz_mal05th.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235275650453386578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $12.99</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by: </span>gift from Mike</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments: </span>We were delighted when our friend Mike brought this wine over, but we chose poorly when we ordered Chinese food to accompany it. The Chinese food was great, the wine was great, but the pairing didn't quite work. This wine, with 60% Shiraz and 40% Malbec, will go better with other foods, particularly grilled meats. It has a nice, earthy, cherry flavor with hints of cocoa and tobacco, and it exhibits a long smooth, happy finish. For the price, this is a great wine, and we look forward to trying it again soon!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br />Rating</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">:</span> 7.5/10Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-51565296627966944392008-08-02T20:58:00.003-04:002008-08-02T21:07:29.622-04:00MÄHLER-BESSE Jumilla Taja Reserva 2003<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SJUErvtqGdI/AAAAAAAAANw/7UKxVr0-NXc/s1600-h/taja.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SJUErvtqGdI/AAAAAAAAANw/7UKxVr0-NXc/s320/taja.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230091691849554386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $10.99 @ Gary's Liquors, W. Roxbury, MA<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span> 90 points by <a href="http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,4760,00.html">Wine Spectator</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> We have been drinking mostly whites this summer, but decided to switch to red tonight. We normally enjoy Spanish red blends, and this one is no exception. It was very good! It is a blend of 50% Monastrell (Mourvèdre), 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo, and 10% Merlot. It is a dry wine but has a nice, bold fruity flavor; the variety of grapes integrate with the tannins quite nicely. We would really enjoy this with pizza!</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rating:</span> 7/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-16881951932520724622008-06-30T20:06:00.002-04:002008-06-30T20:22:34.995-04:00Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SGl4fK2ZjQI/AAAAAAAAAMg/9CVfTgFJ8v8/s1600-h/petitbourgeois.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SGl4fK2ZjQI/AAAAAAAAAMg/9CVfTgFJ8v8/s320/petitbourgeois.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217834120169229570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $10.99</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Recommended by:</span> manager's selection at Macy's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> We usually drink Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand (and some from Napa) and love them, but this wine will force us to think about other regions. Petit Bourgeois is a bright, tangy wine that has no shortage of flavor, yet finishes very smooth. Flavors of pineapple loom large along with a pleasant, forward grassiness. It was a great complement to our yummy veggie sandwiches on a hot summer day. Not our favorite, but we would buy this again.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rating: </span>7.5/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-64269399041571482632008-06-03T19:40:00.003-04:002008-06-03T19:56:45.950-04:00Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Stellenbosch 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SEXXyMAHm_I/AAAAAAAAAL8/Zjw4kLrvpcI/s1600-h/forr0302.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SEXXyMAHm_I/AAAAAAAAAL8/Zjw4kLrvpcI/s320/forr0302.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207805801339001842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $9.99 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" >Boston Globe<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> This wine was listed in the </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Boston Globe</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> as one of the best wines you can find for under $10. We agree! It is similar to Gruner Veltliner on the nose but exhibits flavors of both Gewurztraminer (spice) and Sauvignon Blanc (fruit) on the palate. Flavors of lime are most present, tempered with a buttery smoothness and a nice spicy finish. We had it with sushi (surprise!) and it was a fantastic pairing. It went particularly well with the sweetness of the unagi (eel). We'll be looking forward to this one again soon.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 7.5/10</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-34414547301752571932008-05-31T20:09:00.003-04:002008-05-31T20:22:00.944-04:00Chateau Bianca Gewurztraminer 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SEHqj8AHm-I/AAAAAAAAALw/2dYa_Of5dB8/s1600-h/chateaubianca1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SEHqj8AHm-I/AAAAAAAAALw/2dYa_Of5dB8/s320/chateaubianca1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206700547339951074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $13.99 @ liquor store in Porter Square</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by: </span>just a domestic Gewurz we have not tried</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> We were not impressed by this. It doesn't even really taste like a Gewurz. There is no real exotic spice flavor that you would expect; instead it's a bouquet of flowers. A strong bouquet. There are also subtle flavors of pineapple, lime, and honey, but it's mostly a bouquet. Not terrible, but not our favorite, and we won't likely be picking this one up again soon.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating: </span>5.5/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-80579272526738030212008-05-02T23:35:00.004-04:002008-05-02T23:48:51.460-04:00Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2004<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SBvgKtOvyII/AAAAAAAAAK4/7xbZzUVhuMw/s1600-h/hoguegenesis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SBvgKtOvyII/AAAAAAAAAK4/7xbZzUVhuMw/s320/hoguegenesis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195993069646760066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> ~$15.00</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Recommended by:</span> This was a gift, but we've had this on our wish list for a while. We think it was recommended by Sunset Magazine.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> Yum. It was yum from the first sniff. Very flowery on the nose and the palate. We also smelled Fruit Loops (honest!) and tasted plum, cherry, and oak. The flavor lasted a long time, and the finish was very smooth. Lots of flavors going on in this wine. It's rather different from the California (in-yer-face-with-fruit) Cabs, but this was excellent. We're becoming huge fans of Washington State wines.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Ratings:</span> 7.75/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-88346441846119258982008-04-16T22:33:00.002-04:002008-04-16T22:42:33.602-04:00La Uve Toro 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SAa45dl_I6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/ofd6KAe-p4k/s1600-h/LaUve.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/SAa45dl_I6I/AAAAAAAAAKw/ofd6KAe-p4k/s320/LaUve.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190038917927084962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price: </span>$12.99 @ Blanchard's (W. Roxbury, MA)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Recommended by: </span>wine tasting</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Comments:</span> At a wine tasting event that included many good wines, this inexpensive Spanish red stood out as a super value. It has bold flavors of bright red berries as well as blueberries (particularly in the finish). The wine consists of a "tempranillo clone" called "Tinta de Toro," and it would be a good wine at nearly twice the price. The smooth, long finish on this happy wine guarantees that we'll be getting another bottle soon! Viva la Espana!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Rating: </span>7.5/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-20573696943233834192008-04-11T23:01:00.002-04:002008-04-11T23:13:31.942-04:00Chateau Jean de Pey Bordeaux 2005<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $11.99 @ Blanchard's (Jamaica Plain, MA)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span> sucked in by store advertising</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> We totally shouldn't have opened a second bottle of wine tonight. And yet, we're so glad we did! We so rarely drink old world wine, and yet this one is really good, and a fantastic deal for the money. We found strong flavors of plum along with chocolate and black cherry, and perhaps a hint of black licorice at the end. The wine consists of 70% Merlot and the rest is Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The finish is quite long and smooth. We've never been happier to succumb to good advertising!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 7.75/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-68058529673386092342008-04-11T21:19:00.003-04:002008-04-11T21:35:15.963-04:00Hess Lake County Sauvignon Blanc 2006<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $12.99 @ Luke's Liquors (Rockland, MA)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by:</span> we love </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.hesscollection.com/web/index.html">Hess wines</a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> Given that we're huge fans of Hess's reds, we wanted to try their Sauvignon Blanc. What a perfect evening to try it ... with sushi! It has a wonderful pineapple, peach flavor with a bit of a grassy finish. It had a bold citrus flavor but in a different way than our beloved Marlboroughs (New Zealand). And it might not be as smooth as the NZ wines, but we enjoyed it (and it got better the more we drank it). I don't think you can go wrong with Sauvignon Blancs with sushi -- it's really a perfect match. And it does have 14.5% alcohol, so it will add to your happiness, especially on a Friday evening ... with sushi.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 7/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-59690983478022789072008-04-08T22:17:00.005-04:002008-04-08T22:41:49.821-04:00Chateau Ste Michelle Orphelin 2004<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R_wpHRAq1wI/AAAAAAAAAKo/K56_25Eax2U/s1600-h/Orphelin.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R_wpHRAq1wI/AAAAAAAAAKo/K56_25Eax2U/s320/Orphelin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187066075626002178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price: </span>$15.00 @ Luke's Liquors (Rockland, MA)</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by: </span>we love CSM wines!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> After visiting their winery last fall and enjoying just about every Chateau Ste Michelle wine we've tried, we were excited to find one that we have not tried. This red blend has 9, yes 9, varietals -- </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Petit Verdot, </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cabernet Sauvignon, Souzão, and Touriga -- and was tasty to the last drop. It got better as we drank it (not with food but just as a "hard-day-at-work-and-now-chilling-out" wine). It has flavors of cherry, chocolate, and spicy pepper with hints of raspberry and vanilla and a smooth, long finish. It still is not as tasty as our favorite domestic red blend (<a href="http://winetasters.blogspot.com/2006/09/artesa-elements-2001.html">Artesa Elements</a>), but we'd definitely get this one again.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 7.5/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-70441174927083361052008-04-01T19:04:00.004-04:002008-04-01T19:30:03.088-04:00The Spanish Quarter Cabernet Sauvignon-Tempranillo 2006<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price: </span>$8.99 @ Gary's Liquors</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recommended by: </span>We like Spanish wines!</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comments:</span> This inexpensive red is a tasty mix of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Tempranillo (45%). Flavors of berries (mainly cherry) and chocolate dominate the palate with a bit of spiciness, and the wine has a longer finish than you typically find at this price range. We enjoyed it tonight with pizza with mushrooms and spinach and it was tasty. Not too fancy but very good.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating:</span> 6.75/10</span></span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-69303746480167666462008-01-18T19:56:00.000-05:002008-01-18T20:16:56.176-05:00d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2006<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R5FONVcZCaI/AAAAAAAAAKg/fyTc05xTxNQ/s1600-h/HermitCrabViognier.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156989039317420450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="165" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R5FONVcZCaI/AAAAAAAAAKg/fyTc05xTxNQ/s320/HermitCrabViognier.jpg" width="224" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Price:</strong> $15.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury, MA)</span></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Recommended by:</strong> Wine Spectator (90 points)</span></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Comments:</strong> Frickin' Almond Husks. That's right. Almond husks. Who the hell knows what almond husks taste like??? I'll tell you who. A pretentious idiot whose opinion about wine you definately do not want to trust. And yet, it's the winemaker that lists among this wine's flavors . . . almond husks. Also (and not surprisingly), the winemaker finds an array of tropical fruits with quince, ginger, and lees. Speaking of which, what the hell does a lee taste like? Denim? But nevermind, we're here to review a wine. And it's a good one, although we're not sure it deserves its place in the top 100 wines of 2007 by Wine Spectator. Although we didn't note almond husk, we did enjoy its pear and grapefruit flavors. The smell is "minerally" apparently, although Rob isn't sure it doesn't have a faint scent of cat pee (but in a good way!). The finish is fairly long and buttery, and a tad bitter, but also in a good way. We would get this one again but we're not sure it's worth the price when some really fantastic Sauvignon Blancs cost less and would pair equally well with similar food (seafood, particularly shellfish).</span></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Rating:</strong> 6.75/10</span></div>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-79874175535692264882007-12-30T20:55:00.000-05:002007-12-30T21:12:55.183-05:00Bloom Gewurztraminer 2006<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R3hNeFcZCZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/o35VSHbzbfo/s1600-h/bloom.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149951353150835090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R3hNeFcZCZI/AAAAAAAAAKY/o35VSHbzbfo/s200/bloom.jpg" border="0" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Price:</strong> $7.99 (regularly $9.99) @ Whole Foods (Columbus, OH)</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Recommended by:</strong> the great price</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Comments:</strong> OK, we have to brag. This photo was taken from our new iPhone. Why did we have to take it on our iPhone? For some reason, no one has provided a label of this wine, not even the official Bloom website! And that's a crime, because this is an excellent wine! Fantastic, when considering the price. This wine from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany provides flavors of pineapple, lemon, and a hint of pear. It finishes with some spice that came to the fore when paired (perfectly) with Moroccan swordfish. This inexpensive wine can compete with some of the best <a href="http://winetasters.blogspot.com/search/label/Gewurztraminer">Gewurz</a>'s that we've enjoyed (and Whole Foods named it a <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/holidays/wines/">Top 10 wine for holiday entertaining</a>). We would definitely buy this again.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>Rating:</strong> 7.5/10</span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22305318.post-36500403678640578482007-12-08T21:01:00.001-05:002009-05-05T19:33:04.280-04:00Hanna Sauvignon Blanc 2006<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R1tPr02mETI/AAAAAAAAAKI/QJUgTFOGBEI/s1600-h/Hanna.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141791013914153266" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_AIvrb6KcGEY/R1tPr02mETI/AAAAAAAAAKI/QJUgTFOGBEI/s320/Hanna.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>Price:</strong> $11.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury, MA)</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong><br />Recommended by:</strong> the description at the store</span><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>Comments:</strong> This is a great Sauvignon Blanc! Today we ventured down to the Haymarket in Boston and grabbed some amazing fish (tilapia) and fresh asparagus, which turned out to be a great pairing with this wine. This Russian River Valley wine had some of the potent grassiness that we've come to enjoy in Marlborough SB along with flavors of lime and a touch of basil, but it finished with a creamy woodiness that differed from the flinty culmination typical of New Zealand varieties. We really enjoyed this one and look forward to having it again very soon.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>Rating:</strong> 8/10</span>Rob and Kariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01980467738501401813noreply@blogger.com1